Nintendo 3DS review: seeing double

The 3DS, Nintendo’s latest portable gaming platform and the first with a 3D display, made its U.S. debut on March 27th. Nintendo moved 400,000 units on launch day in Japan, and Amazon U.K. said the device broke console pre-order records as well. So, being the subway riding gamer that I am, I knew I had to find out what all this hype was about. I took it for a spin over the last week, staying up late trying to beat games and carrying it in my backpack to rock on the subway. And now, after a week of 3D gaming, it’s time to drop the hammer and see if the 3DS really is worthy of all that hype.

In the box

The Nintendo 3DS comes packed with everything you need to get started right out of the box. In the box you’ll find the console itself, a charging cradle that you can easily drop the 3DS into on your desk, a 2GB SD card, an AC adapter, a stylus, and some augmented-reality playing cards that you can use to start gaming right away. It’s actually pretty neat — when the camera on the 3DS sees one of the cards, it launches one of a few mini games that are stored internally on the unit.

It might have been nice if Nintendo finally dumped its proprietary charger and instead opted for a standard microUSB port so I could carry one less adapter in my bag, but that’s definitely not a deal-breaker.

Hardware

Is the Nintendo 3DS portable? Yes, if you’re 10 and wear baggy sweatpants. But mobile gaming isn’t just for kids and a $199 iPod touch offers both cheaper games and a far more portable form factor. Measuring in at 2.9 inches x 5.3 inches x 0.8 inches, the 3DS is a pocket hog. Seriously, good luck getting anything else in your pocket if you’re planning to carry the 3DS around everywhere with you. I chose to carry the 3DS in a backpack all week because of its size, and if you plan to do the same, you’ll be fine. Even still, however, I see no reason for a gaming system to measure any fatter than a deck of cards — and even that seems too thick at times.

Given its size though, it feels relatively light at about 8 ounces. While the hinge feels sturdy and like it will last a few years, the device itself felt cheap and like a toy, not a $250 gadget. Nintendo: please use better build materials and make your devices more portable. This isn’t 1989 and nobody wants a Game Boy.

The top of the 3DS is home to two cameras capable of snapping 3D photos at a 640 x 480 resolution. That resolution is pretty pathetic and the photos weren’t anything to write home about, but as a novelty or a way to keep your kids from nagging you during the NBA finals, the 3DS’ camera functions are perfect. Most phones pack a 3 to 5-megapixel camera these days, though, so I see no excuse for Nintendo to include such low-quality sensors in an expensive flagship gaming product.

You can’t email images from the device unfortunately, nor can you share them with any social networks. That’s pretty mind boggling in 2011 when any device with a Wi-Fi connection should include those features. The volume toggle button and SD card slot are on the left side of the 3DS, and the SD card is protected by a plastic hatch that was easy to remove. A wireless toggle button is on the right side of the system, and there are two power indicator lights and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom front. As usual, game cartridges are inserted in the top back of the 3DS and that slot is flanked by left/right shoulder buttons, a charging port, and the stylus.

3D Display

The 3DS is equipped with two displays: The top 3D display measures 3.53 inches and has an 800 x 240 pixel resolution. Nintendo says that 400 pixels are allocated to each eye, which allows for the 3D effect. The secondary, lower display is a bit smaller — it measures 3.02 inches — and has a lower 320 x 240 pixel resolution.

I found the 3D display to be a bar trick at best; I was usually able to play games better with 3D turned off (there’s a toggle switch directly to the right of the display), and the viewing angles were so bad I felt like I was looking at a hologram from a Crackerjack box. Again, for a younger demographic the novelty will definitely be enjoyed, but teens and above into casual gaming will likely turn 3D off most of the time. Also, I would recommend using the 3D feature in short bursts rather than for hours at a time since it really seemed to strain the eyes after a while. Beyond that, however, the screen gets bright enough for gaming in most conditions, though I did find myself squinting while playing under direct sunlight on a park bench.

Gaming Controls

The 3DS also sports a new circle pad that allows for 360-degree analog input, which I loved. It slides around well and it made navigating with my characters in Pilot Wings much easier. I generally preferred it to the cross pad, which is still an option as well. To the right of the lower display, there are the standard A/B/X/Y buttons, and there are Select, Start, and Home buttons directly below the screen.

It’s strange that none of the buttons were backlit, though, and I think the Select, Home, and Start buttons could use a bit more travel. They also feel cheap.

Software and User Interface

Nintendo spiced up the original and boring user interface on the DS. It’s definitely more exciting now with 3D effects and animated icons, and it’s dead easy to use — but that’s all it has going for it. The UI is slow to execute almost any command; it takes 5 seconds just for the 3DS to back out of the camera application, for example.

There are 11 default icons to choose from on the main menu, including your current game cartridge, Health & Safety Info, Nintendo 3DS Sounds, the camera, Mii Maker, StreetPass Mii Plaza, AR (augmented reality) games, Face Raiders, Download Play, Activity Log, and System Settings. At the top of the screen there’s also a notepad for taking notes on games, a message alert icon, a Web browser icon (the Web browser will be activated in a future update), and a friend list manager. As you select each option, the top screen displays more information in 3D. I found myself turning off the 3D regularly, but especially while navigating around the home screen.

The Health & Safety application warns that the 3D feature should only be used by children aged 7 and older, as it could cause eye damage in children 6 and under. If you’re worried, the 3DS reminds you from time to time to take a break. The Nintendo 3DS Sounds application is cool in theory, but it’s pretty useless unless you’re a little kid. If I wanted to record myself making weird noises, and then loop them back as some sort of music, I could, but I think this feature will generally be used to drive parents mad. You can also use this application — and I’m using the term “application” loosely — to play MP3s loaded on an SD card, but it doesn’t display album art and you have to dig through folders to find songs, which definitely isn’t user friendly for young children.

The settings menu was easy to navigate for applying a system update, as well as for finding and connecting to a protected wireless network. Face Raiders and AR Games are two augmented reality style applications that allow you to game with the 3DS right out of the box. I booted up Face Raiders, which prompted me to take a photo of myself, and then proceeded to move around my room shooting little flying balls with my face plastered on them.

AR Games takes advantage of a small pack of playing cards that come with the system. Simply place a card on a wall-lit desk and point the camera at it, and it suddenly comes to life. On one, my desk spawned a large monster that I needed to defeat by firing dozens of arrows. It’s a pretty fascinating feature, and it was fun seeing inanimate objects pop to life.

Also, if you’ve ever used a Wii than you’ll be right at home with the Mii Maker, which is basically just used to create a custom avatar of yourself. You can automatically create a Mii by taking a photo of yourself, but I thought mine was pretty inaccurate.

Lastly, there’s an Activity application that monitors how many steps you take while traveling with your Nintendo 3DS. As you walk, you can earn up to 30 “Play Coins” per day, which can be spent inside the StreetPass Mii Plaza on mini games. At the time this review was published, I had walked 18,684 steps with the Nintendo 3DS and earned 38 Play Coins. Don’t pretend you’re not impressed.

Nintendo included a Web browser on the 3DS but it doesn’t currently function. While it is coming in a future update, I have a hard time believing it’s going to offer a top-notch browsing experience. Flash support? That will never happen. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. Why hasn’t Nintendo jumped on board with app providers like Netflix to add support for streaming video? Why isn’t there an App Store? And why include a forward facing camera if I can’t use it for video chats? The 3DS feels so bare boned that it’s angering. Casual adult gamers could get much more use out of the device if Nintendo focused on these areas, but instead it’s rendered more of a child’s toy.

StreetPass

Nintendo’s StreetPass feature allows you to leave the 3DS idle as you walk around. If you pass within 150 feet of someone else with the StreetPass feature active, you can opt to have it automatically add that person to your Mii Plaza Community. I picked up six different people walking around New York City during two days, but I don’t really understand the purpose of this feature. I have no desire to see what other people’s 3DS Mii characters look like, and as far as I can tell, the only thing you can do with it is exchange puzzle pieces to complete a 3D puzzle. Does Nintendo really think people want to go walking around cities to meet people in an effort to complete an imaginary puzzle picture?

Games

The biggest problem Nintendo is going to face with the 3DS is the price of the games. At launch there were 18 games available, and the BGR team bought three games for my 3DS review: Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, Pilotwings Resort, and Ridge Racer 3D — each costing roughly $40. That’s $120 for three games on top of the $250 you’ll have to drop on the 3DS itself. How can Nintendo possibly think that this system will compete with the iPod touch (or Android personal media players, even), where games cost just a few bucks and still offer hours of game play? Street Fighter IV for iOS costs just $4.99, for example.

Worse yet, I found the 3D display actually inhibited my ability to play games well. In Pilotwings I was required to fly through loops and land accurately on floating targets. My scores were better every single time when I completed a course with the 3D off. Similarly, I crashed in Ridge Racer 3D so much due to the poor viewing angles that I put the game back in its package and never want to see it again. Admittedly, I enjoyed the 3D effects in Super Street Fighter, but it’s still not worth the premium to me.

Battery

The battery life of the Nintendo 3DS is pretty awful. With 3D on I was lucky to get about 3 hours of battery life on a single charge. I need a personal gaming system that can get me through a long flight, and that’s not even getting my halfway there. To be fair, Nintendo does admit that battery life should fall between 3-5 hours for 3D games and 5-8 hours with Nintendo DS titles.

Wrap Up

Sure, you’ll have a fun time gaming on the Nintendo 3DS because there are a number of attractive titles out there, but I’d think long and hard about buying a game when they cost upwards of $40. I can’t think of any reason I’d buy the 3DS over an iPod touch, for example, which costs $50 less. Had I done that in the first place, I’d have spent $200 and had another $170 left over for buying iOS games, many of which are cheap or even free.

The 3DS falls short in so many ways. It doesn’t (yet) have a Web browser, the battery life is terrible, there’s not an app store for installing more apps, the camera isn’t great, it’s not comfortable in the pocket, it’s bulky, and the 3D display’s viewing angles are so bad that it’s hard to game properly. While the device does offer some features that very young gamers will potentially have a lot of fun with, older casual gamers and even teens are going to be put off by the missing features and the sub par quality of some key elements.

Nintendo needs to realize that the old portable gaming console market is dead. It needs to adapt to an app store formula, and it needs to create well rounded devices with decent cameras, email clients, and more. As it stands, the 3DS seems like a half baked product that should have hit the market 5 years ago.

Now that you know what I think about the 3DS, check out the video below to see how a few other New Yorkers felt after handing the 3DS for the first time.

I’m confused why he didn’t read the Wikipedia page or any press releases from Nintendo about the 3DS. Netflix IS coming to the 3DS along with a short-form video service and 3D movies. I understand this is a blog and he is not a journalist but for fuck’s sake.

Anonymous

This review is inane. Why make so many references to the age range of the people who may enjoy it?

We get it, you’re a discriminating adult with mature tastes, but are you being serious with this? Why doesn’t the 3DS have Netflix support? Really? Maybe because it’s a gaming console.

All of the different ways you found to say “This is for little kids” make the entire review feel like amateur hour.

Jon2

Tried the 3DS at the local Gamestop and I found it hard to focus on the 3d screen for very long, especially when you lose the effect at a different angle. I am more interested in the Sony NGP than the 3DS anyway. Maybe 3D imaging on a portable console is not such a good idea, but we’ll see what Nintendo comes up with their next 3DS version.

classiklytrained

So far I’m actually impressed with my 3ds. I’m reserving judgement on some of the social features such as Street pass. I find the complaint about game prices pretty rediculous because many DS games already go for $40. If you’ve been playing games for more than just a year you should be used to this and plan how spend accordingly.

http://twitter.com/gajetman Joe Silverton

You sir are an idiot. The 3D is awesome and well done. If you can’t see it properly you need to hit the eye doctor soon. The AR stuff is amazing and the 3D pictures it takes and uses in some of the on board games is really fantastic.
This unit is a preview of the features that will be on the new 3D phones coming out this summer. The games are great even if they are expensive, and if you don’t use or can’t see the 3D on this thing, it is not worth you purchasing it. Get a regular DS or play stuff on your phone. The recording feature and the Face Raiders game is cool. It is jam packed with features and is a very fun device.

citats

All I can say is WOW… I need to remind myself that reviews are just one persons opinion.
Swipping and tilting your machine vs. buttons and analog control schemes are not comparible. Nor are the games that each represent.

Anonymous

all the things you’ve said about how the 3ds should improve is essentially turning it into a phone. To be honest, your review seems to be full of spite of nintendo, it seems like nintendo hurt you some time, some where long long ago and this is your time to let loose your hatred for the company, but if you hate the 3ds so much, I wouldn’t mind taking it off your hands. I for one, am saving up money to buy the 3ds, maybe a month or so before Ocarina of Time comes out. so if you hate it, I’m more than happy to take it off your hands.

Dirtmonkey10

Wow this guy compared the 3DS to an iPod touch!! “if it isn’t an apple its crap”

Alrocksu

…its a great device….haters…ios fanboy

Erickgm14

have fun paying 5 bucks for street fighter 4 ios, with 8 characters and horrible touch screen controls. the 3ds version as all 35 characters, online, arcade,opening scene, arcade scenes, trials, figurines, street pass, etc. thats DEFINETELY worth 40 bucks considering its a perfect port (3DS gameplay = PS360 versions). the 3ds is still un tapped, the eshop will be their app store, running smooth and being able to buy content rich games at prices around 5-10 bucks. they will include a Web browser in the May system update. DSi had the ability to upload photos straight to facebook, im sure there will be something along those lines. the cameras would be sweet if they were at least 1.3 Mega pixels, but its a gaming device, the iphones app store is “Quantity>Quality” while nintendo thinks vice versa.

Kanuckles86

woooo blackberry! lol functional hardxcore!

This review id bullshit

This reviewer is a dipshit. Games on the ipod are meant to be 5 minute distractions and cost less because of that, 3DS games are made for GAMERS. I know that that term scares some people but get over it. Also, this is a GAMING machine, It was MADE FOR GAMING, not for an internet browser, not for a app store filled with shit games, and not meant as a music player. Also the dipshit reviewer can’t even get his facts straight, you can earn a maximum of 10 play coins a day, not 30, maybe next time you can actually play the device instead of bitching that its not an ipod touch

Williamstocke

Things that weren’t brought up in this review.

Battery life can be extended by purchasing third party accessories. There’s already a few available in the market now.

3DS DOES have an “app” like store, it’s call 3dsware as well as DSiware. There’s a lot of games and various “app” products made available on DSi. It’s not available until May.
Content wise, the cartridge holds up to 2GB+ of space as oppose to most iOS apps averaging a few MBs. You’ll getting more content on a cartridge than an app.

Are you seriously comparing Street Fighter IV for iOS against Street Fighter IV 3D Edition content? 3DS version beats the iOS in many ways. The iOS has no online multiplayer, sprite models, the roster is smaller, and doesn’t contain all the contents of the console equivalent.

The 3DS version contains most of the console content, 3D view, streetpass extras, actual 3D models, runs much faster than iOS, and includes online multilayer. I think that’s worth much more than $5 app.

Williamstocke

After watching the first impression video, why didn’t you bothered bringing up the OTHER features of the 3DS? You essentially show them ONE game and the system without informing them of the other features.

You should of brought to their attention of the augmented reality, gyroscope, face raider, pre-installed software, 3D camera, sound system, street pass, and the graphics. Aside from the mobile discussion, the 3DS is NOT only 3D and it’s $40 games as I was under the impression from watching the video.

Anonymous

You’re doing a review of a gaming device, not a smartphone. Not a smartphone. And this is why reviews of gaming device should be left to professional gamers. Or you know, people who have been playing video games before the burst of casual gaming on iOS. While you do have a point that it should have included built-in SNS, you shouldn’t expect it to have apps the same way an Android phone or an iPhone has. Get real. An iPod touch isn’t a gaming device. It is a portable music player that can play apps/games and even at this stage, it still can’t offer games of the same quality that you can find on a NDS or a PSP. And no, don’t compare the best iOS games to the worst NDS/PSP games.

http://twitter.com/Darkcloud25 Cloud San

this dude is freaking loser i hates anything but apple when does BGR reveiw gaming hardware. they dont hes just trying to make nintendo look like shit he didnt add anything about whats coming for the 3DS this may or games that look great on the 3ds or anything about it and he takes about the battery life. tell me this how long can you game on an ipod or iphone 2-3hr max oh wait you can get more buy adding a big Freaky looking battary pack on it or killing your brightness and turn off you data and signal lol and i have tested this.Oh and tell me this hes trying to tell me that gaming out your phone that pple call you on is a great idea huh? kill your batter on you cell phone that shitty signal already is smart right.

http://profiles.google.com/robotanna Riley Anna P

“It’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. Why hasn’t Nintendo jumped on board with app providers like Netflix to add support for streaming video? Why isn’t there an App Store? And why include a forward facing camera if I can’t use it for video chats?”

Netflix is coming for the 3DS, there will be an app store at the end of next month with the browser firmware update (honestly what do you think all those extra spots were for on the home screen?) and you can use the forward facing cameras for video chats if you play a mildly popular game that goes by the name of “Pokemon Black” or “Pokemon White”.

http://profiles.google.com/robotanna Riley Anna P

“It’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. Why hasn’t Nintendo jumped on board with app providers like Netflix to add support for streaming video? Why isn’t there an App Store? And why include a forward facing camera if I can’t use it for video chats?”

Netflix is coming for the 3DS, there will be an app store at the end of next month with the browser firmware update (honestly what do you think all those extra spots were for on the home screen?) and you can use the forward facing cameras for video chats if you play a mildly popular game that goes by the name of “Pokemon Black” or “Pokemon White”.

http://twitter.com/hijackerjack Rohil Thopu

Ugh.. I came back to BGR hoping that this site wouldn’t turn into another Apple vs the World battleground… Man was I wrong..

I may think this review is at least a little biased, but what review isn’t? I think Todd was being truthful at points… then just dumb at others.

http://profiles.google.com/spencerteillon102 Spencer Teillon

This is an absolutely horrible article. Not only are many of the things you said opinions, but thy’re pure lies! I wouldn’t listen to a thing this article says. I bought my 3DS a week ago and it’s amazing. It is the perfect size, it’s camera is actually much better then you think, and the sound system is much easier and more useful then you think. And, i guess you haven’t heard, but Nintendo actually IS making deals with Netflix for streaming.

Shadowlayer

You should drop the “$40 games” argument, PSP and 3DS games cant be compared to most of the crap in the app store and android market. Not saying there arent any good games for phones, but the amount of shovelware in that market is atrocious.

Besides you’re completely ignoring the fact that those games come in carts, which have to manufactured, shipped and stored.

Cheezr

Sadly, as a 3DS owner, I agree with you. This is Nintendo’s handheld gamecube.

Sure_Ill_Batch_That

Why is this guy comparing the 3ds to a phone? Apples to oranges much? Also, netflix is coming to the 3ds and wasn’t available on any consoles immediately at launch nor most first gen smartphones, so nothing new there. The app store exists on the dsi and will be coming to the 3ds soon. The reviewer also, didn’t bother reading what some of the functionality actually did (mii plaza for example.)

The coins you earn when walking? go to nintendo’s website and buy cool gear with it! Also, who in their right mind thinks that ” the old portable gaming console market is dead”? Do you have any clue as to what kind of cashcow the previous and current ds line was? And for the most part, nintendo improved upon the orginal ds in every way.

Also, that iphone of yours may have been cheap, but tell us what you pay in your plan… Not to mention you have all of this silly apple drama, and coverage drama att vs verizon yadayadayada. The demographic that buys a 3ds aren’t looking for a telephone guy, we want a handhel gaming experience, and frankly the 3ds is top of the heap right now!

http://twitter.com/kirkewilliams kirkewilliams

All my kids have the DSiXL. I bought the 3DS for myself. It’s my first game console for myself since the B&W Gameboy.

Anonymous

This article is purely hilarious!

Hrm….do I want an iPod touch that DOES NOT HAVE ANY PHYSICAL BUTTONS….or a 3DS that was built for gaming???

This is why I equate this site to Fox News (or MSNBC for those who love Fox News…)

The logic is so flawed!!!!

If the reviewer were to have compared the 3DS to a PSP…it would be a fair argument. “You could save X dollars and use a portable console gaming device which has X, Y, & Z and feels more adult…”

Yet, he didn’t. Instead, it was to the iPod touch, which is good…but nobody outside of a casual gamer would “touch”!

Even worse, he started talking about prices. Now, some games on an iPod touch do look great…but ain’t no way it’s better than a PsP.

Plus, of course, you probably will never find Mario iOS…

Overall, this is the definition of hilarious. At least compare apples to oranges! Not apples…to raddishes! We all know this site has an Apple bias…but damn…

Rubsnick

Dude… You’re right Nintendo doesn’t expect it to compete with the Ipod Touch or android market. Why? Because it’s no competition. The 3DS is a gaming machine first and foremost that means that it’s not going to have any of those fancy do dads where lucky it’s got any do dads at all. I own one for the games. I’m a gamer, not a casual gamer. If you’re a casual gamer… why the hell are you forking $250 on this thing? And you cannot compare the IOS version of Street Fighter to the 3DS one…. hell you cannot compare most of the games on the Iphone or Android stores to the quality of games that are to come. For example Ocarina of Time one of the best games ever will be on this thing. Well worth the $40 since nothing on the Iphone compares to this thing. Copple that with the fact that the Iphone has a horribly poor control scheme (I’ve really tried) and you have one of the worst “gaming” devices ever compared to real buttons? I prefer playing games on my Gameboy Advance then the Iphone that’s how bad the controls are. Just my two cents. Learn how to to a proper comparison Ipod Touch is not a gaming device. It’s a over glorified mini computer.

Rubsnick

Oh and another thing…. You should get some better pants, If you can’t fit this thing in your pockets then that’s pathetic, my pants are really tight ones and I can fit my 3DS,Iphone,Ipod, headphones and wallet in them….. Don’t understand your complaint about the size it’s just a you problem.

you being bias

“Megapixels = quality”
Oh boy.
“The two screens make it thick”
Cry more.
“The games are expensive”
Because they’re good.
“No email or facebook”
If your phone can do it already I see no reason to complain about a lack of it on the 3DS.
You are going nowhere with your 3DS but not your phone.
“I can’t see the 3D because it moves around too much”
How about you sit still like a civilized person?
“The buttons aren’t backlit”
WHY WOULD YOU NEED THIS
“As you walk, you can earn up to 30 “Play Coins””
Okay what
“Why hasn’t Nintendo jumped on board with app providers like Netflix to add support for streaming video?”
They…have?
“Why isn’t there an App Store?”
In a few months you impatient jerk.
“And why include a forward facing camera if I can’t use it for video chats?”
Maybe in a few months you impatient jerk.
“the only thing you can do with it is exchange puzzle pieces to complete a 3D puzzle.”
No.
“I crashed in Ridge Racer 3D so much due to the poor viewing angles”
The angles are fine you just suck at ridge racer.
“I can’t think of any reason I’d buy the 3DS over an iPod touch, for example, which costs $50 less.”
BETTER GAMES